You're Not Broke

I made the mistake of taking Franklin and Cole to Community Bakery one afternoon after school on our way home. I thought this would be a very nice treat for the boys - grabbing a couple of the iced-sugar cookies to eat on our way home before we had to start in on "the homework hour." They loved the idea of going to the "baker" (as opposed to bakery) for our cookies (I guess I am not considered a baker when I make the cookies at home). So a few days later they asked if we could go again and being the wonderful mom that I am I checked to see if I had any cash on me and sure enough I did, so we made the trip again.

So now Franklin and Cole think that we should make a stop at the "baker" every afternoon (which we have NOT done so!). I explained that going to the "baker" would be for very special occassions and that we couldn't go everyday. However, that doesn't stop Franklin from asking every day to go to the "baker." Today being no exception. Except that today I didn't go into the "its supposed to be for special occassions" speech. Instead I thought I would go with the "we don't have money" approach. So in trying to tell Franklin that you have to have money to go to the "baker" I explained that today we are "broke" and therefore we can't go to the "baker." With that he said, "raise up your shirt and let me see your tummy!" For the life of me I couldn't figure out where this was going - so he raised my shirt and said, "See mommy, you aren't broke!" So, that one backfired on me, but also brought back another memory when I tried to explain to Susie Q that we couldn't buy something because we were broke.

When Susie Q was around 4 (same age as Franklin) she wanted to toy or something from Walmart. I explain to her we couldn't buy it since it wasn't in our budget which continued to "we don' t have any money" which escalated into "but you have checks" and then I explained that you also had to have money in the bank to writ the checks. So as we stand in the checkout and I pull the check book out to pay for our purchases, my daughter so bravely and loudly stated, "But I thought you said we didn't have any money in the bank!" Yes, my face was red. Yes, I hurriedly checked out and got out of there as fast as I could, knowing that everyone thought she just wrote a "hot" check. (Which I didn't).

I am slowly learning that 4 year olds don't quite understand budgets or money management however much I want them too. So for now, the doctor is out......gluing herself back together!

San Francisco Treat

I have been in San Francisco for a day and a half now. We got in yesterday afternoon and got settled into our hotel room to rest from a long day of flying since we had 2 layover stops. I took advantage of my time to get caught up on grading for my two classes. They were complaining because I had gotten behind due to illness and sporadic internet service.

Today, we had the morning off before our meetings so a colleague (Lola) and I did the tour thing this morning. Actually I was her tour guide since I have been here several times. We rode the cable cars down to the wharf and looked around. We also went to Ghirardelli chocolate factory (favorite place!). Then we rode cable cars back up to Lombard Street (this is a very crooked street that goes down, down, down or up, up, up, depending on your direction). After that we went to China town and walked around. Lola loves to shop (so I was in great company since I love to shop as well), so we shopped and shopped!!!

The afternoon brought on the meetings. DULL, DULL, and DULL. Maybe tomorrow will be better.

After our meetings Lola and I went to the Macy's around the corner to do some shopping (surprised, right). Well we did find some very good bargains at 75% off. I actually got a sweater vest that was originally $70 for $12 - not so bad. As we were leaving the store we got stopped in the cosmetic section by this fun looking guy selling a new brand of up and coming cosmetics (from California of course). Salesman begins to tell us the cosmetics are all natural (vegan to be exact), then all of a sudden he pulls out some lipcolor for me and begins applying it; then brings out the eye makeup and virtually is giving me a little make over (which turned out pretty good I must say). But, then he pulls out the make up for Lola and as he tells us the name of each product I get a new life lesson. He first decides to apply the color "chronic" to her eyes (in my oblivious mind I am thinking ok, this is a weird name for a eye shadow color) when Lola starts laughing out loud (she has been a school teacher for 35 years) and remarks to salesman "you're putting good pot on my eyes!" I am totally clueless!!! She has to explain to me that "chronic" is a term used for a good mixture of "pot" - she learned this from her students! He is actually surprised that she knows the term. Then he informs her that he is applying the color "blunt" to her eyes as well. Again, I am clueless and just thinking these are wierd color names. Lola is laughing again. Apparently "blunt" is a large joint made from cigar paper. I am thinking how appropriate for San Francisco - home to the Haight Ashbury era!

One thing I love about San Francisco are the restaurants!!!! Oh, food, wonderful, delicious, tasty treats!!! We went to a wonderful, fun, Italian restaurant yesterday (and I am not talking Olive Garden!) and then today we went to John's Grill, which is a setting in the movie Maltese Falcon. Can't wait to see where we end up for dinner tomorrow evening. For now, the doctor is out...relishing her San Francisco treats (a new makeover and great restaurants!).

Fever Up, Fever Down, Fever Up....

Franklin has become a very independent 3 ½ year old. He doesn’t think he should give kisses and hugs at request anymore. But darn it, he is just so cute that I want to give him kisses and hugs all the time. He knows how much I want to hug and kiss him; so, when daddy walks in he makes a dash to shower him with kisses and hugs then turns to me saying “I gave your kisses to daddy” with his most devious smile. Franklin knows he is crushing my heart when he does this!!!


For the past few days Franklin has been sick. He has an up and down fever. When Franklin is sick he climbs into my lap and wants me to hold him - - all day! He refuses to be put down on the bed or on the sofa. I must hold him in my lap with his blankee wrapped around him. Now, while I am holding him the laundry doesn’t get done, nor does the vacuuming, or anything else for that matter. In fact, it is amazing the meals are even fixed. But I don’t mind because while he is in my lap cuddling with me I get to give him kisses and hugs and he loves them. I hate that he is sick but I love taking advantage of it. Until next time, the doctor is out……cuddling, hugging, and kissing her sick child.

Beautiful Noise

I have a memory of myself, my sister (Mimisuu), and my cousin, (Mara) playing the piano at my grandmothers house. Now our choice of music was the Beatles - anything Beatles! Mostly I remember us banging on the piano and screaming "I wanna hold your hand", or something like "yea, yea, yea" , whatever it was I know it had to be excrutiating for our family to listen to. I have always wanted to learn to play the piano (pretty, not banging). My sister in law tried to teach me once but without a piano in my home it didn't work out so well.

A couple of years ago when my husband and I went to an auction, I asked him if we could purchase a piano if there was one there. Low and behold, there was. And, he bought it for me. I still haven't learned to play it but I am closer to learning now than I was. My hubby would like for our boys to learn to play the piano as well.

When we were kids growing up and got too loud, my papaw would always say "stop that racket." I also remember growing up that anytime we had loud music playing or the tv too loud, someone would always say "Turn that racket down" or " you all are making too much racket." I have often wondered what "racket" really was and why don't people care for it? As a parent of two young rambunctious boys I am finding out what "racket" really is.

Racket is two young guys wrestling in the middle of the living room floor. Racket is two young boys fighting over toys. Racket is two young boys yelling at each other just because they can. Racket is two young boys doing flips on the furniture and crashing into the floor with tons of laughter. Racket is fun; fun for children but not so much for the adults.

Now, when my boys climb up on that piano stool, I start to cringe because I know the "racket" is coming! However, it isn't racket to them. The other day they both climbed up on the piano stool, and Cole looked at me and said, "Do you want to hear some beautiful noise?" How sweet! So he and Franklin began to softly play the keys of the piano and I listened to the "beautiful noise" with pride - because I now know the difference between "racket" and "beautiful noise." Until next time, the doctor is out ... listening to beautiful noise.

The Doctor is in....

Well, this doctor is jumping on the bandwagon and joining the world of bloggers. So I guess I should start with my background. I am the oldest of five children raised by two great people. After graduating from my small country high school I went away to college then came home again. Going away didn't work for me, so I then enrolled into local college and continued to play. After marriage and divorce (and living away in California) I came back to my small city to be with my family and raise my young daughter, Susie Q. I wanted Susie Q to have the opportunity of being around family, not just me, but our extended family as well. For 12 years it was just Susie Q and myself making our way in the world. My dad talked me into going back to college when Susie Q was in the first grade. That decision eventually led me to a doctorate degree. In between that time, I met and married my wonderful husband who had a son one year older than Susie Q and we became a blended family. In the meantime I continued to work on my education finally graduating with my doctorate in Educational Psychology and Research December 2007.

Three years ago, after our two children were grown (one married and one away to college) my husband and I were blessed with the opportunity to raise my two nephews due to some unfortunate circumstances of their own parents. Franklin was a baby of 2 days when we got him while Cole was 3 years old. At first it was somewhat difficult but I think we have all adjusted. They both bring a lot of joy to our lives.

So I am still thinking about what I can contribute to the blog world. I think it will evolve as time goes by. I tend to be a quiet person so this may become my platform for things I don't feel comfortable saying in person - who knows. It may also be my platform for just letting friends and family know what is going on in our lives. I do know that it will be a challenge for me - one in finding time to write, another in sharing my life with the world, sharing my personal thoughts, etc. But I am hoping it will be fun. Until next time.....the doctor is out.